Effects of sodium metabisulphite,hydrogen peroxide and heat on aflatoxin B1 in lafun and gari - two cassava products

Sodium metabisulphite and hydrogen peroxide alone or in combination with heat (50–70°C) were found to be effective in degrading aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in lafun and gari. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) at a concentration of 3 % in the aqueous phase gave a 12.5 % degradation of aflatoxin B1 in lafun and at 50°C, degradation levels of 25 % and 50 % were obtained with 6.0 and 9.0 % H₂O₂, respectively. When sodium metabisulphite was applied during the production of gari (a fermented cassava product heated to 50-70°C during production) AFB1 degradation levels were found to be 65.8 %, 60.9 %, 41.5 % and 36.6 %, respectively, for sodium metabisulphite levels of 1.0 %, 0.8 %, 0.5 % and 0.3 %.     

重组漆酶降解黄曲霉毒素B1分子对接分析及产物结构解析

以重组漆酶lac3基因同源性最高的3KW7作为模板进行同源模建,采用分子对接预测漆酶与黄曲霉毒素B1（aflatoxin B1,AFB1）的结合模式,结果显示漆酶与AFB1可以相互作用,氢键是其关键作用力,漆酶可用于黄曲霉毒素的降解。随后,通过实际的降解实验进行验证,响应面优化获得AFB1降解率最优的条件为底物AFB1 1 μg、孵育时间15 h、孵育温度34 ℃、酶活力2 U,降解率可达91.08%。在此条件下利用超高效液相色谱-飞行时间串联质谱分析AFB1降解产物结构,发现4 个主要降解产物,根据其二级质谱信息和精确分子质量,推测出降解产物的分子式分别为C16H22O4、C14H16N2O2、C7H12N6O和C24H30O6。     

Comparison of nixtamalization and extrusion processes for a reduction in aflatoxin content

Traditional nixtamalization and an extrusion method for making the dough ( masa ) for corn tortillas that requires using lime and hydrogen peroxide were evaluated for the detoxification of aflatoxins. The traditional nixtamalization process reduced levels of aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) by 94%, aflatoxin M 1 (AFM 1 ) by 90% and aflatoxin B 1 -8,9-dihydrodiol (AFB 1 -dihydrodiol) by 93%. The extrusion process reduced levels of AFB 1 by 46%, AFM 1 by 20% and AFB 1 -dihydrodiol by 53%. Extrusion treatments with 0, 0.3 and 0.5% lime reduced AFB 1 levels by 46, 74 and 85%, respectively. The inactivation of AFB 1 , AFM 1 and AFB 1 -dihydrodiol in the extrusion process using lime together with hydrogen peroxide showed higher elimination of AFB 1 than treatments with lime or hydrogen peroxide alone. The extrusion process with 0.3% lime and 1.5% hydrogen peroxide was the most effective process to detoxify aflatoxins in corn tortillas, but a high level of those reagents negatively affected the taste and aroma of the corn tortilla as compared with tortillas elaborated by the traditional nixtamalization process.     

Use of ultraviolet energy to degrade aflatoxin M1 in raw or heated milk with and without added peroxide

Raw whole milk was artificially contaminated to contain 1 ppb aflatoxin M1. A thin layer of milk (.1 cm) was irradiated with ultraviolet energy. In the first experiment, milk was held at 90 degrees C for 10 min, cooled to 20 degrees C, and irradiated for 30 min. Amount of aflatoxin M1 decreased equally (56.2 vs. 53.9%) in raw or preheated milk, suggesting no involvement of milk enzymes in degrading aflatoxin M1 by ultraviolet energy. Data obtained when raw milk containing aflatoxin M1 was exposed to ultraviolet energy for 15 to 60 min suggest first order kinetics for the degradation reaction. In another experiment, milk was held at 5, 25, or 65 degrees C while it was being irradiated. Aflatoxin M1 was degraded at all temperatures. Amount of toxin decreased nonlinearly when temperature at which milk was held was increased. Presence in milk of benzoyl peroxide at .002% did not change the extent to which aflatoxin M1 was degraded by irradiation. Amount of toxin, however, decreased by 89.1% in milk containing .05% H2O2 as compared with 60.7% for H2O2-free milk when both were exposed to ultraviolet irradiation for 20 min at 25 degrees C.     

Aflatoxin residues in eggs of laying Japanese quail after long-term administration of rations containing low levels of aflatoxin B1.

The aim was to evaluate the excretion of residues of aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)), aflatoxin M(1) (AFM(1)), aflatoxin B(2a) (AFB(2a)) and aflatoxicol (AFL) in eggs of laying Japanese quail fed rations with low levels of aflatoxin B(1) for 90 days. The quail were randomly assigned into four experimental groups and given prepared rations containing either 0 (controls), 25, 50 or 100 microg AFB(1) kg(-1) feed. Thirty-two eggs per treatment were collected on days 1-7, 10, 20, 30, 60 and 90 of the aflatoxin treatment period, and submitted to aflatoxin analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography. Average egg production and feed consumption were not affected ( p > 0.05) by AFB(1). Egg weight was significantly lower ( p<0.05) only for groups exposed to 100 microg AFB(1) kg(-1). Residues of aflatoxins were detected in eggs at levels that ranged from 0.01 to 0.08 microg kg(-1) (AFB(1)), 0.03-0.37 microg kg(-1) (AFM(1)), 0.01-1.03 microg kg(-1)(AFB(2a)) and 0.01-0.03 microg kg(-1) (AFL). Results indicate that the excretion of aflatoxin residues in quail eggs might occur at relatively low concentrations under conditions of long-term exposure of quail to low levels of AFB(1).     

复合菌系降解黄曲霉毒素B_1的效果及组成多样性研究

采用"外淘汰法"筛选了一组对黄曲霉毒素B_1(aflatoxin B_1,AFB_1)具有高效降解能力的复合菌系FBAD-2,该复合菌系在120 h内能将质量浓度为2 000μg/L的AFB_1完全降解,对质量浓度为5 000μg/L的AFB_1能降解90%。FBAD-2在30~70℃的范围内均能保持对AFB_1的高效降解能力,其最适温度为60℃。毒素降解实验分析表明,FBAD-2对AFB_1的降解主要是胞外酶的作用,其最适产酶时间为24 h,此时的胞外粗酶液在48 h内能将5 000μg/L的AFB_1完全降解。16S rDNA基因组测序分析结果表明,FBAD-2的微生物组成主要包括土芽孢杆菌(Geobacillus)、嗜热小杆菌(Symbiobacterium thermopilum)、梭菌(Clostridium)和热厌氧杆菌(Tepidanaerobacter)等。     

Changes in some chemical constituents during the fermentation of cassava tubers (Manihot esculenta, Crantz)

Cassava tuber, Manihot esculenta, Crantz, was processed, after five days of fermentation, into ‘gari’ and ‘lafun’. The pH fell from 6·5 to 4·3 in the former. Titratable acidity increased during the course of fermentation. No cyanide residue was detected in gari by fluorimetry although low cyanide levels were detected in some samples of lafun. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) of extracts from gari confirmed the absence of cyanogenetic glycosides.     

Inhibitory effects of Satureja hortensis L. essential oil on growth and aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus

In an effort to screen the essential oils of some Iranian medicinal plants for novel aflatoxin (AF) inhibitors, Satureja hortensis L. was found as a potent inhibitor of aflatoxins B1 (AFB1) and G1(AFG1) production by Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999. Fungal growth was also inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Separation of the plant inhibitory substance(s) was achieved using initial fractionation of its effective part (leaf essential oil; LEO) by silica gel column chromatography and further separation by reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). These substances were finally identified as carvacrol and thymol, based on the interpretation of 1H and 13C NMR spectra. Microbioassay (MBA) on cell culture microplates contained potato-dextrose broth (PDB) medium (4 days at 28 degrees C) and subsequent analysis of cultures with HPLC technique revealed that both carvacrol and thymol were able to effectively inhibit fungal growth, AFB1 and AFG1 production in a dose-dependent manner at all two-fold concentrations from 0.041 to 1.32 mM. The IC50 values for growth inhibition were calculated as 0.79 and 0.86 mM for carvacrol and thymol, while for AFB1 and AFG1, it was reported as 0.50 and 0.06 mM for carvacrol and 0.69 and 0.55 mM for thymol. The results obtained in this study clearly show a new biological activity for S. hortensis L. as strong inhibition of aflatoxin production by A. parasiticus. Carvacrol and thymol, the effective constituents of S. hortensis L., may be useful to control aflatoxin contamination of susceptible crops in the field.     

Long-term administration of low doses of mycotoxins to poultry. 1. Residues of aflatoxin B1 and its metabolites in broilers and laying hens

A study was performed to determine aflatoxin residues in tissues and organs of male broilers and hens that had been fed a diet contaminated with 50 micrograms/kg aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Residue levels of AFB1, aflatoxicol (Ro), aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and aflatoxin B2a (AFB2a) were determined by an HPLC method and, with the exception of AFB2a, were detected in the liver, kidney and thigh of both male broilers and hens. The highest levels found were for Ro in liver (1.10 and 0.60 micrograms/kg for male broilers and hens, respectively). On the other hand no detectable amounts of aflatoxins were found in any tissue after withdrawal periods of 14 and 33 days for male broilers and laying hens respectively.     

Production of aflatoxin and its partition between the medium and the mycelium of Aspergillus parasiticus during incubation under various conditions.

Spores of an aflatoxigenic strain of Aspergillus parasiticus were inoculated into a glucose-salts medium which was incubated with and without shaking at 28 degrees C for 15 days. Without shaking, maximal production of total aflatoxin and aflatoxins B1, G1, and G2 occurred at 5 days, whereas the maximal amount of B2 appeared after 7 days. Initially approximately 5% of the total toxins appeared in the mycelium but this increased to more than 60% after 5 days. Shaking of cultures during incubation served to reduce production of total aflatoxin and of each of the individual toxins. The maximal amount of total aflatoxin and of toxins B1 and G1 appeared in shaken cultures after 5 days, whereas 8 and 11 days were needed to obtain maximal amounts of B2 and G2, respectively. The mycelium of shaken cultures initially retained approximately 50% of the total aflatoxin and this increased to about 80% as the incubation progressed. Very little aflatoxin was synthesized at 35 and 45 degrees C and production of total aflatoxin and of each individual toxin was less at 15 degrees C than at 25 or 28 degrees C. When the medium contained 0.5 to 50% glucose, maximal amounts of total aflatoxin and of aflatoxins B1, G1 and G2 appeared in the presence of 30% glucose; only 20% glucose was needed to obtain the greatest amount of B2. The mycelium retained approximately 50% of total aflatoxin when the medium contained 5 to 20%. Neither aflatoxin G1 nor G2 were detected when the medium contained 0.05% ammonium sulfate and only B1, B2, and G1 appeared in the medium with 0.1% of the salt. Maximal production of each individual aflatoxin and of total aflatoxin occured with 1% of ammonium sulfate in the medium. The proportion of total aflatoxin retained by the mycelium decreased from 83 to 37% as the amount of ammonium sulfate in the medium was increased from 0,05 to 10%.     

铜绿假单胞菌M19降解黄曲霉毒素B1的产物研究（网络首发、推荐阅读）

以实验室筛选保藏的黄曲霉毒素B1（Aflatoxin B1,AFB1）降解菌M19产生的降解酶PADE为对象,对其AFB1降解液进行薄层色谱及荧光光谱分析（LC-MS）,分析降解产物可能的结构变化,并利用液相质谱检测AFB1降解产物。薄层色谱检测结果：有机相和水相降解液均未检测到新的荧光吸收物质,表明降解产物没有荧光吸收;荧光光谱检测结果：AFB1降解产物的荧光明显减弱;液相质谱检测结果：发现质荷比为227.18的物质P。结果推断：AFB1降解过程中内酯键断裂,产生一个分子量为226的降解产物P,利用Xcalibur软件分析其分子式为C14H10O3,并根据AFB1降解后的LC-MS图谱分析以及AFB1降解产物的相关文献对降解途径进行假设。     

Studies on Aspergillus section Flavi isolated from maize in northern Italy

In 2003, for the first time in Italy, significant problems arose with colonization and contamination of maize destined for animal feed with Aspergillus section Flavi and aflatoxins (AFs). This resulted in milk and derived products being contaminated with AFM(1) at levels above the legislative limit. There was little knowledge and experience of this problem in Italy. The objectives of this research were thus to study the populations of Aspergillus section Flavi in six northern Italian regions and obtain information on the relative role of the key species, ability to produce sclerotia, production of the main toxic secondary metabolites, aflatoxins and cyclopiazonic acid, and tolerance of key environmental parameters. A total of 70 strains were isolated and they included the toxigenic species A. flavus and A. parasiticus. A. flavus was dominant in the populations studied, representing 93% of the strains. Seventy percent of strains of Aspergillus section Flavi produced AFs, with 50% of strains also producing cyclopiazonic acid. Sixty-two percent of A. flavus strains and 80% of A. parasiticus were able to produce sclerotia at 30 degrees C. Using 5/2 agar, only 1 strain developed S sclerotia and 19 L sclerotia. With regard to ecological studies, growth of Aspergillus section Flavi was optimal at between 25 and 30 degrees C, while AFB(1) production was optimal at 25 degrees C. Regarding water availability (water activity, a(w)), 0.99 a(w) was optimal for both growth and AFs production, while the only aflatoxin produced in the driest condition tested (0.83 a(w)) was AFB(1). This information will be very useful in identifying regions at risk in northern Italy by linking climatic regional information to levels of fungal contamination present and potential for aflatoxin production in maize destined for animal feed. This would be beneficial as part of a prevention strategy for minimising AFs in this product.     

Degradation of aflatoxin B(1) by cell-free extracts of Rhodococcus erythropolis and Mycobacterium fluoranthenivorans sp. nov. DSM44556(T)

Biological degradation of aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) by Rhodococcus erythropolis was examined in liquid cultures and in cell-free extracts. Dramatic reduction of AFB(1) was observed during incubation in the presence of R. erythropolis cells (17% residual AFB(1) after 48 h and only 3-6% residual AFB(1) after 72 h). Cell-free extracts of four bacterial strains, R. erythropolis DSM 14,303, Nocardia corynebacterioides DSM 12,676, N. corynebacterioides DSM 20,151, and Mycobacterium fluoranthenivorans sp. nov. DSM 44,556(T) were produced by disrupting cells in a French pressure cell. The ability of crude cell-free extracts to degrade AFB(1) was studied under different incubation conditions. Aflatoxin B(1) was effectively degraded by cell free extracts of all four bacterial strains. N. corynebacterioides DSM 12,676 (formerly erroneously classified as Flavobacterium aurantiacum) showed the lowest degradation ability (60%) after 24 h, while >90% degradation was observed with N. corynebacterioides DSM 20,151 over the same time. R. erythropolis and M. fluoranthenivorans sp. nov. DSM 44,556(T) have shown more than 90% degradation of AFB(1) within 4 h at 30 degrees C, whilst after 8 h AFB(1) was practicably not detectable. The high degradation rate and wide temperature range for degradation by R. erythropolis DSM 14,303 and M. fluoranthenivorans sp. nov. DSM 44,556(T) indicate potential for application in food and feed processing.     

Natural and in vitro coproduction of cyclopiazonic acid and aflatoxins

Eighty samples of animal feeds of different origins were screened for the natural co-occurrence of cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) and aflatoxins in Portugal. Forty-five strains of Aspergillus flavus were collected from those samples and studied for their ability to produce these mycotoxins, in vitro. CPA was detected by thin-layer chromatography using Erhlich's reagent for confirmation. Aflatoxins were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography with postcolumn iodination. Only 5 of the 80 samples (6.2%) were naturally contaminated with cyclopiazonic acid (0.16 mg/kg) and 36 (45.0%) with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) (from 0.001 to 0.016 mg/kg). An in vitro study of the 45 strains of A. flavus was performed in cracked corn at 25 degrees C (water activity, a(w) = 0.96), incubated for 21 days to CPA production. For in vitro production of aflatoxins, the same substrate was incubated at 28 degrees C for 14 days. Nineteen of the strains (42.2%) produced CPA (ranging from 0.5 to 1.45 mg of CPA/kg) and 23 of them (51.1%) produced AFB1 (from 0.001 to 0.844 mg/kg). Only 10 isolates (22.2%) produced both CPA and AFB1 (0.05 to 0.10 mg/kg and 0.001 to 0.230 mg/kg, respectively). Thirteen strains did not produce either CPA nor AFB1.     

施氏假单胞菌F4对黄曲霉毒素B_1的酶解作用及其降解产物的初步分析

施氏假单胞菌F4能高效降解黄曲霉毒素B1(aflatoxin B1,AFB1)。研究了F4的AFB1降解活性、降解动力学以及蛋白酶K和SDS对其降解性能的影响。F4细胞悬液与毒素共培养72 h后降解率达80.03%;蛋白酶K处理对降解率没有影响,SDS处理的细胞悬液基本丧失了降解活性。不同时间点的降解液上清液仍能有效降解残留AFB1,其中以60 h的降解液上清液活性较好,与残留AFB1继续作用48 h后降解率达84.30%;而经蛋白酶K处理后降解率仅为45.42%。低浓度AFB1诱导对菌体的降解活性没有影响。上述结果提示,F4通过胞内酶作用降解AFB1。高效液相色谱对产物分析表明,F4可将AFB1酶解为至少2种产物。     

Glufosinate-ammonium reduces growth and aflatoxin B1 production by Aspergillus flavus

The herbicide glufosinate-ammonium (GA) [butanoic acid, 2-amino-4-(hydroxymethylphosphinyl)-ammonium salt] was tested at concentrations from 2 to 2,000 g GA per ml for activity against growth and aflatoxin B1 (AFB) production by the mycotoxigenic fungus Aspergillus flavus Link:Fr. The highest concentration (2,000 microg GA per ml) reduced colony diameter of A. flavus strain AF13 by 80%. AFB1 production was inhibited by 90% at this concentration. Reduction in mycelial dry weight and AFB1 production in response to GA application ranged from 17.2 to 97.1% and from 39.1 to 90.1%, respectively. Of four concentrations tested, 2 microg GA per ml was weakly inhibitory. In the kernel screening assay, AFB1 production was inhibited 60 to 91% when kernels were preimmersed or immersed 5 days after incubation in 200 microg GA per ml. Both concentrations (2 and 200 microg GA per ml) reduced seed germination by 25 to 50%. Results indicate that GA has an inhibitory effect on growth and AFB1 production by A. flavus.     

Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enterica serotype enteritidis,and Listeria monocytogenes on lettuce by hydrogen peroxide and lactic acid and by hydrogen peroxide with mild heat

Iceberg lettuce is a major component in vegetable salad and has been associated with many outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. In this study, several combinations of lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide were tested to obtain effective antibacterial activity without adverse effects on sensory characteristics. A five-strain mixture of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis, and Listeria monocytogenes was inoculated separately onto fresh-cut lettuce leaves, which were later treated with 1.5% lactic acid plus 1.5% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at 40 degrees C for 15 min, 1.5% lactic acid plus 2% H2O2 at 22 degrees C for 5 min, and 2% H2O2 at 50 degrees C for 60 or 90 s. Control lettuce leaves were treated with deionized water under the same conditions. A 4-log reduction was obtained for lettuce treated with the combinations of lactic acid and H2O2 for E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Enteritidis, and a 3-log reduction was obtained for L. monocytogenes. However, the sensory characteristics of lettuce were compromised by these treatments. The treatment of lettuce leaves with 2% H2O2 at 50 degrees C was effective not only in reducing pathogenic bacteria but also in maintaining good sensory quality for up to 15 days. A < or = 4-log reduction of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Enteritidis was achieved with the 2% H2O2 treatment, whereas a 3-log reduction of L. monocytogenes was obtained. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between pathogen population reductions obtained with 2% H2O2 with 60- and 90-s exposure times. Hydrogen peroxide residue was undetectable (the minimum level of sensitivity was 2 ppm) on lettuce surfaces after the treated lettuce was rinsed with cold water and centrifuged with a salad spinner. Hence, the treatment of lettuce with 2% H2O2 at 50 degrees C for 60 s is effective in initially reducing substantial populations of foodborne pathogens and maintaining high product quality.     

黄曲霉毒素B1降解菌株的筛选及鉴定

该研究以香豆素为唯一碳源,从豆类发酵食品、土壤、动物肠道及其内容物中筛选黄曲霉毒素B1（AFB1）降解菌株;然后通过复筛,从中筛选出AFB1降解能力较好的菌株,并对其降解作用与吸附作用进行区分;最后,通过形态观察、生理生化试验及分子生物学技术对其进行鉴定。结果表明,共筛选得到9株AFB1降解菌株,其中菌株YC2的AFB1降解能力最强,AFB1降解率达到90.7%,并确定菌株YC2通过降解作用去除AFB1。最后,菌株YC2被鉴定为枯草芽孢杆菌（Bacillus subtilis）。     

Aflatoxin B1 binding by dairy strains of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria.

Various food commodities including dairy products may be contaminated with aflatoxins, which, even in small quantities, have detrimental effects on human and animal health. Several microorganisms have been reported to bind or degrade aflatoxins in foods and feeds. This study assessed the binding of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) from contaminated solution by 20 strains of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria. The selected strains are used in the food industry and comprised 12 Lactobacillus, five Bifidobacterium, and three Lactococcus strains. Bacteria and AFB1 were incubated (24 h, +37 degrees C) and the amount of unbound AFB1 was quantitated by HPLC. Between 5.6 and 59.7% AFB1 was bound from solution by these strains. Two Lactobacillus amylovorus strains and one Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain removed more than 50% AFB1 and were selected for further study. Bacterial binding of AFB1 by these strains was rapid, and more than 50% AFB1 was bound throughout a 72-h incubation period. Binding was reversible, and AFB1 was released by repeated aqueous washes. These findings further support the ability of specific strains of lactic acid bacteria to bind selected dietary contaminants.     

Changes in the hydrocyanic acid concentration during traditional processing of cassava into ‘gari’ and ‘lafun’

Two sets of 48 cassava plants, harvested at three different times, were processed using one of the traditional methods to determine the effectiveness of hydrocyanic acid reduction to innocuous levels in the cassava products ‘gari’ and ‘lafun’. Dry matter content of the cassava was 37·6%; this changed significantly with the stages of processing to 84·5% in ‘gari’. This change was due mainly to pressing and roasting. Starch content remained constant during ‘gari’ processing. Hydrocyanic acid was significantly reduced from an initial concentration of 90·1 mg/kg fresh grated pulp to 25·8 mg/kg in ‘gari’. The fermentation step was found to be most effective in the reduction. Dry matter content during ‘lafun’ processing changed from 39·3% to 86·5% due mainly to sun drying for 96 h. Hydrocyanic acid was significantly reduced from 165·5 mg/kg in fresh grated pulp to 19·6 mg/kg in ‘lafun’. Soaking in static water was responsible for three-quarters of the decrease in hydrocyanic acid.